Charisma Hanover upsets I Luv The Nitelife

Charisma Hanover upset I Luv The Nitelife in a nail-biting finish in the $161,000 American National for 3-year-old filly pacers and in doing so set a new track and stake record clocking of 1:49.

Driven by Yannick Gingas for trainer Ronnie Burke, Charisma Hanover is a sophomore daughter by Dragon Again, and notched her 15th career victory and 12th win this season, pushing her 2013 earnings to $543,229 for owners Burke Racing and Weaver Bruscemi of Pennsylvania.

“Earlier in the year we were leaving pretty hard with her and I really wanted to follow Tim (Tetrick, driving I Luv The Nitelife),” said Gingras. “It’s a long stretch here and I couldn’t wait for the wire to show up quick enough. But both fillies really put forth a great effort tonight and it was exciting to get a track record out of it.”

After Authorize (Ron Pierce) took the field through a first quarter clocking of :26 and the :53.3 half, I Luv The Nitelife came first over to take control of the race going into the last turn. At the 1:21.2 three-quarter marker I Luv The Nitelife appeared poised to notch her 14th win of the season, but Charisma continued to dig in, besting her rival by a neck at the wire.

Aunt Caroline (Scott Zeron) got up for third, while Authorize held on for fourth. Charisma Hanover paid $7.80 to win.